​ It’s always amazing to see who is put in your path to make the difference of a lifetime to your heart and soul. Before I start, I want to state that I put no photographer down. There are a lot of great ones out there! I’m sure you can name one or two off the top of your head. I can too. I’ve worked with a lot of great people over the years. And Sharyl is just another example.. When I started this journey I wanted something that was uncomfortable but not TOO disastrous to get me started. So I picked something small. A photo shoot. A photo shoot with a company called Laughter Loves Photography. After coming down with a meeting place, I packed three outfits and tried to remind myself that I was worth something and it was going to get caught on camera. Hopefully. I witnessed a very tall, very skinny, and very pregnant beautiful woman step out of her car. She hugged me instantly with a very excited welcome. Well, at least I knew I was going to have fun. And boy did I! The thing I found most fascinating was the lengths this woman would go to get what promised to be the perfect picture. As she squatted, climbed fences, climbed trees, carried more props at once than I had fingers and toes, I was very sure that either that baby was going to come out right then and there from all the exercise, or I would have to go to the Olympics to see this kid who was obviously going to be some kind of gymnast. Let’s just say I’m waiting to buy a ticket to the Olympics in future years… Besides laughing so hard the entire time that my sides ached two days later, she was personable and cared to see what would come of this project that I had started. By the time I left I knew I would see her again, because I could already call her my friend. So when I needed some fall pictures taken I knew exactly who to call. And when I needed to update my website pictures, again there was no question of who to call. Not only is she kind, entertaining to watch, and forces you to do gymnastics yourself while you both work to get an amazing shot, the woman somehow never fails to catch the best part of me. The first two times I worried about laughing so much with full certainty that NONE of the pictures would look any good. Now I don’t even think twice. Somehow, even when my sides hurt and I don’t think my mouth can smile anymore, those turn out to be the best pictures. I finally saw what the people who loved me saw. And it was beautiful. I’m always anxious to see what beautiful thing that I never see that Sharyl captures on film. She loves every crazy idea I have and helps me bring it to life. But when I thought her amazingness and creativity could go no further, she introduced “Tiny People” to the world. She’ll even tell you that from the second I saw the first photo I demanded to have some of my own. So once again we set a time. I watched this woman buzz around with such grace as she helped me with my crippled ankle. She even politely made sure that I didn’t look like the clutz I obviously already was. When she handed me her camera to take a picture of her I freaked for fear of dropping it or not getting it right. Even Chasing Stormi got to be a bit of a professional photographer for a day. When I found out why I couldn’t have been more honored. SHE actually wanted pictures of us together and my heart grew 10xs bigger. Yes, this was a friend for life. A friend that captured the most beautiful side of me even when I don’t see it myself. A friend that I even bug from time to time with random need of advice. Yes…not only is this woman one of my favorite photographers out there, full of laughter, life, love, and creativity, but this is a woman who crossed my path to help me see the best I have in me. So if you ever wonder what a good photographer looks like, check out the pictures below. I took them while she shot another person. You know if someone is willing to do all of this, you will never have a bad picture. And this is why I love LAUGH!